EU Blue Card vs. Highly Skilled Migrant: What Are the Differences?

_{By Thomas van Estrik}

With the full implementation of the new EU Blue Card Directive last year (see our July 2024 blog post), the EU Blue Card has become an attractive alternative to the residence permit for highly skilled migrants. Although both schemes aim to facilitate labor migration for highly educated workers, there are important differences. In this article, we outline eight key distinctions.

1. Admission Requirements

Degrees and Experience

Both the EU Blue Card and the highly skilled migrant residence permit are intended for highly qualified knowledge workers. For the Blue Card, the applicant must demonstrate their qualifications with a relevant diploma or verifiable work experience. This is not a requirement under the highly skilled migrant scheme.

Salary Criteria

The standard salary threshold for both the Blue Card and the highly skilled migrant permit has now been aligned: €5,688 gross per month, excluding holiday allowance. However, for employees under 30, the threshold for the highly skilled migrant permit is lower (€4,171), while no such category exists for the Blue Card.

For recent graduates, the salary requirement is also more lenient under the highly skilled migrant scheme: €2,989 compared to €4,551 for the Blue Card. However, for recent graduates from universities outside the Netherlands, the Blue Card is more flexible. While the highly skilled migrant permit requires graduation within the past three years from a top 200 university, the Blue Card has no such university ranking requirement.

2. Recognized Sponsorship by Employer

A key condition for the highly skilled migrant permit is that the employer must be a recognized sponsor with the IND. This special status also ensures faster processing of applications. This requirement does not apply to the Blue Card, making it accessible to a broader range of employers.

3. Mobility Within the EU

A major advantage of the Blue Card is enhanced mobility within the EU. Blue Card holders can work in other EU member states under more relaxed conditions, both short- and long-term. This offers greater flexibility for both employees and employers with branches in multiple EU countries.

4. Long-Term Residence

Blue Card holders who utilized long-term mobility are eligible for EU long-term resident status sooner. This provides greater long-term security. Additionally, former Blue Card holders with this status may be absent from the EU for up to 24 months, compared to 12 months for those who obtained the status via the highly skilled migrant route.

5. Search Period During Unemployment

Both highly skilled migrants and EU Blue Card holders are entitled to a search period of up to three months during unemployment, provided their residence permit is still valid for at least three months. If someone has held a Blue Card for two years, this period is extended to six months. If the Blue Card is not valid for the full six months, it can be extended for job-seeking purposes.

6. Illness and Income Reduction

Highly skilled migrants who temporarily fall below the required salary threshold due to illness risk having their residence permit revoked. In contrast, EU Blue Card holders are allowed to earn a lower income during the first twelve months of illness without immediately jeopardizing their residence status.

7. Family Reunification and Integration

When highly skilled migrants naturalize or obtain a permanent residence permit, their partner, if subject to the MVV requirement, must pass a civic integration exam abroad. This obligation does not apply to EU Blue Card holders who have obtained an EU long-term residence permit.

8. Tuition Fees for Children

Finally, there is a financial difference for families. Children of Blue Card holders pay the statutory tuition fee (€2,601 for the 2025–2026 academic year), which is significantly lower than the institutional tuition fees (€10,000–€20,000) typically paid by children of highly skilled migrants.

Which Option Should Employers Choose?

Although the highly skilled migrant scheme remains the most popular option, mainly due to lower income thresholds for younger employees, the Blue Card offers more flexibility and long-term benefits in other areas. The best choice depends on the specific circumstances of both the employer and the employee.

Do you have questions about residence options for your (future) international employees? Feel free to contact us.